Chapter 477: Riding the Bus

Upon hearing Himeko’s prayer, I began convincing myself to grant it for her. Never would I be petty again when it comes to her little sister. Even if Itou continued seeing me as an eyesore or a nuisance, I decided to just smile it off or ignore it completely.

As long as she didn’t go overboard, I would be her beloved sister’s amiable boyfriend.

I had no idea if Itou also heard her words since I was only focused on Himeko at this time as I waited for them to finish their prayers.

After we’re all done with offering our respect and praying to the deity enshrined in it, we then went to one of the priests to purchase Ema plates; the wooden plaques where we were going to write our wishes, and hang them on wooden boards specifically for it near the main shrine where we did our prayers.

Since we’re already here, it’s a waste to miss everything we could do during a shrine visit.

Using the wooden plaques, one could write the same wish they uttered during the prayer or make another wish altogether. It’s not like everything would be fulfilled. It’s just part of this shrine visit.

Nonetheless, Himeko and even Itou happily wrote on the Ema for their wishes.

When I read what they wrote since they asked me to hang their Ema for them, Himeko simply wrote ‘Happiness’ and ‘Courage’. Even with only those two words, I understood what she meant by it.

As for Itou, she wrote ‘Strength’ and ‘Perseverance’.

Well, she probably needed strength to beat me and perseverance for her to continue enduring the bitter fight she’s currently in about changing her sister’s mind about me.

Either way, I didn’t comment on them and just hung them as they asked and I did the same for my Ema.

Unlike them, I wrote a whole paragraph in it that I would rather not read aloud, even inside my own mind.

It’s not lewd or anything, of course, it’s just filled with what’s going on inside my mind about my life, my desire and my feelings for everyone.

When Himeko and Itou saw my filled-up Ema, they both couldn’t contain their curiosity to read it.

And once they’re done, the two girls had different comments about it. Himeko muttered ‘Amazing’ while Itou loudly said ‘Unbelievably Shameless’ while clicking her tongue.

Their comments clearly differentiated the relationship they have with me.

Following that, we went to buy omikuji to see our current fortune as well as we toured the entirety of the shrine, taking in the sight of nature around it.

When we’re done with everything we could do in the shrine, the two girls happily left its premises with a new fond memory they shared together.

Because they were separated for many years, the last memory they had together was all before that. Now that they reconnected, it was still hard for them to be too close with each other.

While we’re walking along the shrine, Himeko told me their current situation at home. And sometimes Itou would also say something to back up what Himeko said.

Even with the changes that were happening with Himeko, their father was still pessimistic about her. He even thought that Himeko would become a bad influence with Itou once more.

This time, Itou actually made an excuse for going out, not telling their father that she’s going out with her sister.

Those who she could command that helped in that park earlier were actually hotel employees. Being the one managing it, a simple threat of job loss was enough for them to follow her.

They would keep their mouths close about where she was today. Furthermore, they would report at the end of the day that she’s at the hotel, overseeing its operation.

The only hole in that excuse of hers was if her father or any close aide of his visited the hotel and looked for her.

She already made some kind of precaution for it. She would be notified immediately as soon as someone important arrived at the hotel and she would rush back to it.

So far, after more than an hour with us, nothing has happened yet so she’s still happily savoring this time with her sister.

And fortunately, no one disturbed us at the shrine. Even though there were some who were staring at Himeko who was dressed beautifully while still exuding a conservative aura, that was all they did.

Perhaps because we’re at the shrine or they’re not those types who would intentionally hit on a girl that was with her boyfriend to flaunt their swelling ego that they’re superior.

Lucky for them, those were actually the type that I always get back at during my middle school. And it was done privately, those guys were probably still unaware of what hit them that made them fall asleep on an alley.

Naturally, those guys looking at Himeko didn’t pay attention to Itou because of her get-up. Because of her hood and cap, it’s hard to see her pretty face that was at the same level as her sister.

After we passed by the Torii gate, we all bowed towards it to end our shrine visit before continuing towards the bus stop.

We waited for around five minutes before the next bus arrived.

I was holding Himeko’s hand and pulling her with me as we climbed inside the bus when Itou stopped in her steps and asked a question. “Are we really riding it, can’t we get a taxi instead?”

She’s fidgeting from where she was standing, clearly afraid to ride public transportation.

“What do you think, Himeko?” Instead of answering her, I turned to the girl who’s also looking at her sister.

Even though they already agreed earlier to take this bus, it’s inevitable for the two to still have apprehension about it.

That’s why I’d rather let Himeko decide than force them to ride it. Either way, we could still get to that theater through the taxi. Just… the cost wouldn’t be the same.

Contrary to my expectation, Himeko shook her head towards me before grabbing her sister’s hand.

“Ya-chan… I will be riding this bus with Ruki. Won’t you come with us?”

Upon hearing that question, conflict instantly churned in Itou’s eyes. In the end, she couldn’t answer her beloved sister. She lowered her head and drooped her shoulders.

Himeko smiled upon seeing that and lightly pulled on her little sister’s arm bringing her with us on the bus.

Since I was the one on the lead, I traversed the narrow aisle towards the empty backseats of the bus.

When I turned around, Himeko and Itou simultaneously released a sigh of relief before taking a seat.

Surprisingly, none of them took the window seat. Do they not want to look outside?

No… Himeko intentionally did it.

She sat down on the seat next to it since she knew that Itou would sit next to her. Leaving that place open was for me to still have the space next to her.

When I sat down, I whispered my thank you to her which she returned with a silent apology for how her sister was acting.

At the moment, Itou appeared as if all her strength left her body. Her head was already resting on Himeko’s left shoulder.

“Nee-sama, this date of yours is… making me tired.”

“Then rest for a while like this. Thank you for accompanying me, Ya-chan.” Himeko warmly smiled and hugged her sister’s head as if she’s trying to spoil her.

Hearing and seeing this exchange from the two, I once again felt that I was the third wheel.

No, I really am the third wheel here.

I guess this date ended up with the two sisters reinforcing their bond that had already rusted from the years they were separated from each other.

Well, as long as Himeko’s happy.

After a while, the bus began moving to its next stop.

The two who were uncomfortable at riding it earlier gradually calmed as they took in the sight of the whole bus.

However, when the bus picked up new passengers at the next bus stop, two men who were dressed colorfully like a typical host from a host club rode the bus.

At first, they were about to take an empty two-seater near the bus door. However, it was inevitable that they saw the two girls from where they were sitting.

The first guy who had his hair dyed blond whispered something to his companion.

Following that, with wide grins on their faces, they began moving towards the back of the bus.

Upon seeing the two blokes, I released a sigh. “I guess we can’t have a perfect day for ourselves.”